To address the continued housing roadblocks around the state, New Hampshire Housing released case studies detailing several towns’ innovative responses to the shortage by using funds from the InvestNH initiative.
Case studies from Bethlehem, Berlin, Canterbury, Gorham, Keene, Lancaster, Newmarket, Plymouth, Sandwich, Sugar Hill, and Wilmot appear in the Housing Opportunity Planning Grant Program: Selected Case Studies, an organization that helps fund housing solutions.
According to a press release, the case studies highlight incremental changes and innovations made through funding from the Invest NH initiative, which was created in 2022 through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF) using its $100 million in allocated funds. The initiative is overseen by the New Hampshire Department of Business and Economic Affairs.
The press release highlighted several towns’ efforts to boost future housing options.
After community workshops and meetings, Bethlehem passed zoning amendments related to accessory dwelling units, the development of cottage clusters and efforts to increase density in some zones, while Keene created a Cottage Court Overlay District to spur the development of compact, pedestrian-friendly housing.
And to give its planning board review process more flexibility, the town of Canterbury adopted a cluster ordinance and a “farmstead design alternative,” which would incentivize the town to protect the rural town’s character and maintain its open space.
According to Article 6 in Canterbury’s zoning ordinance, this cluster law gives greater flexibility to those designing residential and commercial projects by discouraging sprawl and offers ways to preserve larger areas of open space, tree cover, vistas and recreation areas; and increase residential options.
According to the press release, the case studies, including lessons learned and best practices, should give planners and municipal officials additional insight by highlighting these rewarding strategies in real time.
“We are incredibly proud of the work these communities have done with the support of the HOP grants. Their dedication and innovative approaches are truly inspiring and demonstrate the power of community-driven solutions in tackling housing challenges statewide,” said NH Housing Director of Community Engagement George Reagan in the release.
To download the report, visit https://www.nhhfa.org/publications-data/publications-reports/.
